Ex-Felda general manager remanded 5 days over land sale probe

A former Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) director-general has been ordered to remain in custody for five days to aid investigations into alleged abuse of power and land transactions. Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah issued the remand order at the Putrajaya magistrate's court following a request from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

The individual, in his late 60s, was arrested yesterday afternoon after arriving at the MACC headquarters to give his statement for the investigation. He was seen wearing a green collared shirt when he arrived at the court complex this morning at 9.15am.

The probe centers on allegations of abuse of power related to the selection of a developer for a Kuala Lumpur project and transactions involving Felda-owned land. The man is one of two people arrested in connection with the alleged irregularities. Both are suspected of involvement in misappropriation, abuse of power, and corruption surrounding the project developer's appointment.

Furthermore, they are suspected of participating in the sale of Felda-owned land to a company associated with the developer, allegedly without the knowledge of the Felda board of directors and its subsidiary.

The case is being examined under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009, which pertains to offences involving the solicitation, receipt, offering, or giving of gratification as an inducement or reward connected to a transaction or matter. Conviction under Section 16 can result in a sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of at least RM10,000, or 20 times the value of the gratification involved, whichever amount is higher.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had previously indicated that issues involving a Felda subsidiary would be disclosed within the coming weeks to uncover weaknesses within the institution.